Jocketty told reporters assembled for the Bryan Price introductory press conference that he recently texted Phillips to assure him “I have not spoken to anybody about that.”

Of course, when asked if he’d guarantee Phillips will still be in Cincinnati come Opening Day the GM replied:

I’m not saying that. We’ve got some things we’ve got to look at on how we’re going to improve our club. I’m not going to say nobody is untouchable. Obviously, we want to keep as much of this club intact as we can.

So read into all of that whatever you will. My take is that the Reds are clearly willing to field offers on Phillips and assuming there are teams that view the 32-year-old second baseman as worth the $50 million remaining on his contract a trade seems pretty likely.

I would doubt that Votto is untouchable. If someone would take that contract and offer up a package of top prospects I think they’d have to listen. They probably wouldn’t pull the trigger on a deal though. Having 35% of the payroll tied up in 2 guys really hurts a small market team like the Reds. I’d think the untouchable guys are the young pitchers that have team friendly contracts.

The base stealing problem was on Dusty. The Reds didn’t steal bases until Hamilton came up. Mesoraco should be playing every day, he might be able to hit better if he has consistent playing time. Every time he got in a groove this year Dusty did the “sit the hot bat and ride the cold bat til it’s hot” thing.

If he cant buy into the culture Price wants to create then hes gonna be traded. Later than sooner I believe. A couple things could make this a reality. 1. He called the owner a liar, twice. 2. Tirade on reporter, with no apology was a pr no no. 3. BILLY hamilton can play 2nd base. Price’s comments at the news conference yesterday definitely spoke of some folks needing to get onboard to his team goals. Phillips and Votto came to mind.

Do you really think Hamilton can play 2nd? He’s only ever played shortstop and center field and they said his defense at short left something to be desired. Phillips and Votto both need an attitude change. Votto really needs to stop pouting every time he gets out and needs to stop screaming the f word so loud you can hear it while watching the game.

Votto screaming the “f word” is sometimes the only thing that makes the team worth watching with the sound on during Fox Sports Ohio broadcasts. I know I’d rather hear that than listen to Chris Welsh recant his pickoff attempt story for the millionth time, or get the name of the current batter correct.

Tuff web crowd here. The same bloggers should analyze themselves. I love the Reds. Votto, Bruce, Frazier, Cozart, Phillips, Latos, Bailey, Lecure, Ludwick, Leake, Chapman, a great group of players. The Reds announcers of Thom Brennnaman and Chris Welch is one of the best in the business. Thom, keep up the great work.

I wrote to John Kiesewetter, the Enquirer Radio-TV guy, that it was a shame that Casey-George Grande did the biggest series of the year, when the Reds played in Pittsburgh. Both are dull. I would have been much happier with another combination calling the game on television.

Cowboy is very good; the Hall of Famer (Marty) is great. Thom is very good, too. Welch and Kelch are average.

You are so wrong it actually caused me physical pain to read that comment. Thom is terrible at everything, cowboy is a redneck douchebag, and sMarty is a negative whiner, who still can’t be bothered to learn about Bill James after 30 years